School-desk.



No. 673,335. Pafenfea Apr. so, lem.

' J. B. CASEBULT.

SCHDUL DESK.

plicatio ed Feb, 20, 1901.1

.s m Y l l' Hill www!! UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH B. CASEBOL'I, OF MOUNT STERLING, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ORRIN A, SI-IERWOOD, OF SAME PLACE.

SCHOOL-DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 673,335, dated April 30, 1901.

Application led February 20,- 1901. Serial No. 48,120. (No model.)

To tit whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that l, JOSEPH B. CAsEBoLr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Sterling, in the county of Crawford and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in School-Desks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in school-desks; and it consists of certain novel constructions,` com binalions, and arrangements of parts, as Will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

One of the objects of my invention is the production of a desk which whenit is in a normally closed condition will render the compartment for books and other articles dust-tight and which when in an open condition Will bring the writing-surface into Such a position with relation to the body of the writer that he can write upon the same without cramping his arms or leaning forward, as frequently occurs with desks of ordinary construction.

Another object 0f my invention is the production of a desk having a pivoted swinging writing-surface which when swung forward will expose the receptacle for books and other articles to admit of the ready removal and insertion of such articles from the top without the user of the desk changing his position while occupying the seat in front of said desk.

Another object of the invention is the provision ot' means for guiding and steadyingthe swinging movement of the cover or writingsurface of the desk at a number of points, which prevent the twisting or lateral movement of said cover or top.

A further objectof my invention is the provision of sufficient space between the forward edge of the cover or top when the latter is in an open condition and the front vertical Wall of the body of the desk proper, so that a book can be supported and held in an open position between the said parts ofthe desk.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a view in perspective of a desk embodying the features of my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views of one of the pivot-arms in side and front elevation, respectively. Fig.

4 is a sectional view of one corner of the desk, part of the desk being broken away and illustrating the means for securing the cover to the body of the desk. Fig. 5is a detail View of the locking-plate. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of my improved desk with the cover or top thereof swung to its farthest forward position, part of a chair being illustrated to show its relative distance from said desk. Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the desk and chair, the top or cover being in its closed position, but shown in dotted lines in its open position; and Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section through the body portion of the desk, the cover being in an open position.

Referring to the drawingsby numerals, 1 indicates the main body or desk proper, supported by legs 2 and provided with a cover 3. The body l completely incloses the stationery and book receptacle, as 4., by four walls, forming said body. The four walls consist of two end walls, as 35 35, and two side walls, as 36 36. A suitable bottom, as 37, is also provided for completing the receptacle. The end walls are preferably formed slanting toward the front, as at 5 5, and formed intheir inner upper edges with grooves, as 6, leaving upwardly-projecting edges, as 7. The interior of said main body .forming the book-receptacle 4E may be subdivided, as may be desired, int-o two or more compartments by a strip or strips 8, and a stationary or removable ink-well, as 9, and pen and pencil rack, as 10, may be provided for the convenience of the user. H

The cover 3 of the desk is preferably formed of a top or writing surface l1, provided with a down wardly-extending flan ge, as 12,secured near the edge thereof and extending entirely around the same. The said flange 12 is preferably beveled from front to rear, corresponding in pitch to the slanting portions 5 5 of the end walls of the desk. Agroove, as 13, is formed in the edge of said beveled portions, leaving a downwardly-projecting portion 14, adapted to register with groove 6, and at the same time edge 7 will register with groove l3,whereby the cover of the desk cannot be moved laterally while resting upon said desk. The ange 12 is adapted to fit snugly the upper edges of the four walls of the desk, and thereby prevent any dust from entering the book- IOO receptacle while the cover is in its closed position. The side walls 36, if desired, may extend beyond the front wall and are adapted to support the continuation of flange 12, as at 12a, which rests upon said extensions at either side of the desk when the cover is in its open position.

I hinge the cover or top 3 to the body 1 by means of arms 15 15, which are provided at their upper ends with elongated securinglngs, as 16, extending at right angles to said arms and each provided with an annular' groove, as 17, for receiving any desired securing means, as 1S. When in position, the lug 16 extends through iiange 12 and into a strip of material, as 19, secured to the under face of top 11 and extending longitudinal of and contiguous to the end flanges 12,wherein the said lug is permanently secured by passing a nail or other desired means 18 through the strip 19 and annular groove 17. The lower end of arm 15 is provided with a lug, as 20, formed integral therewith and extending parallel to lug 16, but preferably shorter than lug 16. A locking projection, as 21, is formed on one side of lug 20, which when the parts are being assembled is adapted to pass through aperture 22 of keyhole-slot 23 in the locking-plate 24, the said locking-plate when the parts are in position being given a halfrevolution and then secured to thewall of body 1, whereby lug 2O may be securely locked within the end walls of said body portion 1.

The operation of my improved desk will be readily understood.

Fig. 7, and a person occupying the chair in front of the desk desires to gain access to the book-receptacle, he may grasp cover 3 at any point and pull forward on the same. The effect will be to cause the cover to move forward in the arc of a circle through the medium of the arms 15, of which a plurality is l may be applied at any point of said cover` without danger of lateral movement of the same.

The sanitary advantage of my improved construction will be obvious.

writing-su rface toward lhimself a distancejust sufficient to permit him to write freely without cramping his arm or bowing his back.

Another important advantage in my improved desk is the provision of the rear edge of the cover 3 when said cover is in its opened position, which is such that the edge of an open book may be passed beneath the same and above the rear and front vertical walls When the cover 3 is in 3 its closed position, as seen in full lines in r of the body of the desk, whereby the open book will be in sight of the person using the desk, who may not only read from the book, but at the same time has the full area of the cover or writing-surface to use for writing or other purposes, as desired.

Although I have described in detail one specific embodiment of my invention, yet I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact features specified, but shall feel at liberty to deviate from the size, shape, and minor details of construction of my improved desk within the scope and spirit of my invention. v

A very important feature of my invention is the construction and arrangement of the hinges or pivots for securing the cover or top to the body of the desk and permitting of the forward and backward movement of the same and at the same time preventing a lateral or twisting strain while the lid is being moved. I accomplish this by the construction heretofore set forth, but stated brieiiy, which is the provision of pivoted arms, a plurality of which is secured to each side of the desk, which arms are provided at their upper ends with long pins or shanks extending at right angles thereto. It is important that these pins be long, as it thereby prevents any possibility of a twisting,r or lateral motion of the cover or lid while in a raised condition.

It will be observed that the compartment 4 is located at the rear side of the body of the Vdesk and is arranged vertically and is made comparatively deep and that the space forward of said compartment is left uninclosed. By this construction and arrangement room is provided for the knees of the pupil occupying the seat in front of the desk, and by providing the desk with a transverselymovable cover a dust tight closure for the compartment 4 is provided when said cover is moved to its rearmost position, and when moved to its foremost position access is afforded to the said compartment from the top of the desk without further manipulation of the cover, and the cover is brought close to the pupil, which not only facilitates the use of the cover as a writing-surface, but economizes floor-space, as it enables a seat to be placed close to the desk, all of which advantages are desirable and important in a schooldesk.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is A person seating himself in front of the desk may draw the 1. A school-desk comprising in its construction a main body portion provided in its rear part with a vertically-arranged comparatively deep book-compartment, the said compartment being inclosed by end walls, side walls and a bottom, and a cover having a bodily forward-and-rearward movement so constructed and arranged that when it is moved to its extreme rear position it rests di- IOO IIO

rectly over the book-compartment and completely closes the same, and which when moved toits eXtreme forward position exposes substantially the entire length and width of the book-compartment, and affords access to the entire compartment from the top of the desk, and permits a pupil seated in front of the desk to insert or withdraw books without further manipulation of the cover, and means for retaining said cover in position.

2. A school-desk provided with a compartment for books, a movable cover having a suitable writing-surface which cover forms a top closure for the book-compartment, said cover when moved forwardly affording access to the interior of the book-compartment from the top, the rear edge of the cover being provided with a projection beneath which the end of an open book is adapted to be inserted and held in an open position, while its outer end is supported and held in position by the realvertical wall of the desk proper, and means for retaining said cover in position substantially as described.

3. A desk comprising in lits construction a main body portion forming a book-receptacle entirely surrounded by the vertical walls thereof, the upper edges of the end walls being formed with longitudinal grooves, a cover for said body, means for pivotally securing said cover to said body, whereby said cover may be moved transversely of said body, and tongues formed on said cover and adapted to register with said grooves when said cover is in either its closed or open position, whereby lateral movement of said cover is prevented, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the main body portion of a desk the upper edges of whose vertical end walls slant toward the front thereof, of a cover movably secured to said desk, comprising a writing-surface and a ange extending entirely around and near to the edges of said writing-surface, said flange having its end portions beveled to correspond with the slant of said edges of the end walls, and means for permitting a transverse movement of said cover with respect to said body, whereby the writing-surface of said cover will lie in a different horizontal plane when said cover is in its open position than when closed, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a desk, of a cover therefor, a plurality of pivot-arms secured to the end walls of said desk and to said cover, whereby said cover may have a transverse movement With'relation to said desk, each of said pivotarms comprising a-1nain body, means for securing one end of the saine to the vertical end wall of said desk, an elongated member provided on the opposite end of the main body having an annular groove near its free end, the said elongated member'being adapted to be embedded in the material of the cover and means for locking the arms whereby they will be locked against anything but a pivotal movement, substantially as described.

6. The combination With the main body portion of a desk, a top or cover therefor and means for permitting a transverse movement of said top or cover with relation to said main bod y portion, comprising a plurality of pivotarms securing the ends of said cover to the side walls of said desk, each of said pivotarms comprising a main body, means for securing the npperend thereof to the said cover, a lug carried by the lower end of said body, a projection on said lug, a locking-plate snrrounding said lng and provided with a keyhole-aperture through which said lug and projection pass in assembling the parts, and means for securing said lockingplate to the side wall of said desk, whereby said body portion will be locked against any movement other than the pivotal, substantially as described.

7. A school-desk provided with a compartment for books having solid side and end walls, and a transversely swinging or oscillating cover for said compartment forming a writing-surface, said cover when swung forwardly affording access to the interior of the book-compartment from the top of the desk, the rear edge of the cover being provided with a horizontal extension and beneath which and the top edge of the forward wall of the bookcompartment the end of an open bookis adapted to be inserted and held in said opened position and prevented from moving toward the forward end of the desk or falling into the compartment, While the other end ofthe book is supported and held in position by the rear vertical wall of the compartment, substantially as described.

8. A desk comprising in its construction a main body portion provided with a book-compartment inclosed on its sides, ends and bottom by solid walls, the upper edges of the end walls being inclined forwardly, and a cover forming a writing-surface and pivoted to the said main body portion, said cover being provided with down wardly-extending vertical flanges corresponding in number to the number of vertical walls of said main body and adapted to rest upon the upper edges thereof, said anges having their under sur faces beveled rearwardly to match the slant IOC' ICS

TIO

0r bevel of said upper edge of the body portion proper, the construction and arrangementbeing such that when the coveris in its rearmost position the book-compartment of the desk will be completely closed by said cover and rendered dust-proof, and when the cover is in the foremost position it will belowered and project beyond the front edge of the desk and afford access to the book-compartment from the top by a person occupying a seat in front of the desk, without fur# ther manipulation of said cover.

9. A schooldesk,comprising in its construction a main body portion provided with a book-compartment in the rear thereof, comprising a book-receptacle having solid side and end walls and a cover forming a part of the book-compartment, and four arms pivotally securing said cover to the main body portion and adapted to prevent any lateral or twisting movement of said cover and at the same time permitting a swinging or oscillating movement of the same, two of said arms being located on each side of the desk, and the lower ends of said arms being pivoted to said main body portion and the upper ends of the arms being pivoted to the cover, the said arms being of a length sufficient to permit the said' cover to swing for a distance substantiallyas great as the width of said receptacle, said cover resting, when swung to its extreme rearward movement, directly over the said book-receptacle and completely closing the same against the entrance of dust, and when swung to its extreme forward position will fully expose the entire book-receptacle from the top, to a person seated in front of the desk without further manipulation of the said cover, the forward movement of said cover at the same time bringing the cover to a position closer to an occupant of -a seat in front of the desk, whereby said cover will form a proper writing-surface, substantially as described. 4

10. A school-desk, comprising in its construction a main body portion provided with a book-compartment comprising a book-re-y ceptacle having solid side and end walls, thev latter having their upper edges vbeveled or slanting forwardly, said walls inclosing said receptacle, a swinging or oscillating covery having vertical end flanges which extend substantially the entire width of the cover and beveled or slanted rearwardly'on their under j edges to correspond with the bevel or slant of the upper edges of the end walls of the main body portion, and vertical side flan ges extending substantially the length of said cover, said cover and flanges forming a part of the bookcompartment and said cover being pivoted to the main body portion and resting, when swung to its extreme rearward movement, directly over the said book-receptacle and completely closing the same against the entrance 11. A school-desk, comprising in its construction a main body portion provided in its rear part with a book-compartment, comprising a vertically-arranged, comparatively deep, inclosed receptacle, the receptacle be ing adapted to receive and hold books in an upright position, the space forward of the receptacle being left uninclosed sov as to afford room for the knees of a person occupying a seat in front of the desk, a cover forming a part of the compartment, and having a bodily forward-and-rearward movement which cover, when in its extreme rear position, rests directly over the receptacle, and, when moved to its eXtreme forward position, will afford access to the receptacle from the top of the desk and expose the entire contents of said receptacle, thereby enabling a person to withdraw a book without further manipulation of the cover, the said cover, when in its rearmost position, making the said receptacle practically dust-tight, and means for retaining said cover in position, substantially as described.

12. A school-desk havin ga divisible or twopart body portion, and comprising in its construction a main body, provided in its rear part with a vertically-arranged, comparatively deep book-receptacle, the said compartment being inclosed by end walls, side walls, and a bottom, a cover having a bodily forward-and-rearward movement, and forming a writing-surface, and provided with downwardly-extending side and end walls, and constituting, with the writing-surface, the other divisible section of the desk, and adapted to close the said receptacle, thereby making the same practically dust-tight, the construction and arrangement being such that when the cover portion is moved to its extreme forward position substantially the entire length and width of the receptacle is exposed, and access is afforded to the entire compartment by a pupil seated in front of the desk, and when said cover portion is moved to its eXtreme rear position it will rest over the book-compartment and completely close the same, and means for retaining said cover in position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH B. CASEBOLT.

Witnesses:

JOHN L. FLETCHER, EDGAR M. KILcHIN.

IOO 

